This morning on The Agenda we were joined by Louth-based Senator Alison Comyn about the Annual Enterprise Ireland Report which went before Cabinet yesterday.

We also discussed the issue of dangerous crossroads in Collon.

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A senator who shared her seven-week baby scan in the Seanad to highlight shortcomings in laws around miscarriage expressed disappointment that the Government has stalled on giving more rights to parents.

The Coalition said Nicole Ryan’s proposed bill – which would give parents who suffer a miscarriage the right to leave from work – will be brought back to the Oireachtas in a year’s time.

Ms Ryan held up her baby scan photo in the House last week, saying it was the “only evidence I have that my pregnancy ever existed”.

The Sinn Féin senator said she did it to “remove the taboo” around pregnancy loss before 12 weeks, something she said few people were willing to talk about.

Senator Ryan joined us on The Agenda this morning to bravely share her story with us and to talk to us in more detail about the pregnancy loss bill.

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Plans to bring in health labels on drinks could be pushed back until 2029 instead of being announced next week.

The planned introduction of the law next year would have made Ireland the first country in the world to insist on health warnings on bottles containing alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol Action Ireland says postponing the decision is another instance of the Taoiseach and Health Minister turning their backs on public health.

CEO Sheila Gilheany says waiting for the green light from the Europe won't work in this instance, and she spoke to us this morning on The

Agenda about this.

We were also joined by Fine Gael TD in Offaly, John Clendennen, who recently called for the deferral of certain alcohol labelling provisions in light of increased trade tensions

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Homeless charities have expressed concerns over reports that local authorities could stop families who refuse multiple social housing offers from accessing emergency accommodation.

The Irish Examiner reported this week that the government could give Ireland’s city and county councils the power to remove offers of homeless accommodation to those who repeatedly decline an offer of housing.

It comes as homeless figures continue to climb to record levels, with 15,747 people – including 4,844 children – living in emergency accommodation during May.

Ber Grogan, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, described the government’s proposal as a “kite-flying” exercise that does not address the undersupply of housing that is driving up homeless figures, adding that it would ultimately mean more people sleeping rough.

Ber spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about all of this.

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It is “not fine” for the government to be purely a commentator in the Covid 19 review, particularly when there are families in Dealgan House in Dundalk who still don’t know what happened to their loved ones, five years on, Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has told the Dáil.

The Sinn Féin TD was speaking during a debate about nursing homes, prompted by the recent Prime Time Investigates programme.

The Louth TD said it was “hard to believe we are back here again” discussing nursing homes, 20 years after the Leas Cross scandal, which led to the establishment of HIQA.

He said HIQA needs more powers, particularly for unannounced visits to homes.

Deputy Ó Murchú spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.

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RTÉ has got a “must try harder” mark on its report card on reforms in the wake of the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal.

A report on the implementation of recommendations for changes at the national broadcaster shows nearly half of the reforms are “delayed”.

The absence of implementation on reforms has caused fury in the Government, which has committed €725m in additional funding for RTÉ.

This morning on The Agenda we spoke to Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent, Fionnan Sheahan, to find out more about this.

We also discussed the Irish Presidential election and what is known so far. 

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Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O'Rourke, says Meath Garda numbers are set to remain the lowest in Ireland as a Parliamentary Reply confirms that the government’s Garda recruitment numbers will be far below target this year.

Deputy O'Rourke was speaking following a response from the Minister for Justice which outlines that Garda recruitment numbers for 2025 will be between 600 and 650, far below the target of 1,000. He says, for Meath, this means a bad picture getting worse.

Deputy O’Rourke spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this. 

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The heartbroken family of the late James Ryan - who was killed by his partner after she ‘forcefully’ pushed him - has slammed the two years and nine months sentence that was handed down saying "it’s not the justice he deserved.”

Dublin Circuit Court heard last week that Olesja Hertova (49) of Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful killing of Mr Ryan on August 11, 2024 at their home address. She has no previous convictions.

The mother-of-two forcefully pushed him to the ground, causing him severe head injuries. The 69-year-old was rushed to Beaumont Hospital but died the following day.

James’ daughters Karen and Lynn spoke to us this morning on The Agenda.

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The Garda Representative Association has called for the training allowance to be doubled. 

The Department of Justice had hoped to recruit 1,000 new members into An Garda Síochána. 

However, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan told the Dáil last week he expects it will be only 600 to 650. 

Garda Representative Association Assistant General Secretary Tara McManus says there are a “number of things” the Government could do to help address the problem, and Tara spoke to us this morning on The Agenda about this.  

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Ireland is struggling to be ready for the EU’s planned overhaul of the asylum system, according to a leading Irish human rights body.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has said it fears that the scale of changes – which are supposed to be implemented by next June – are simply not feasible for the government and will result in an asylum system “prone to legal challenge, administrative dysfunction and human rights violations”.

The government is proceeding with the fresh legislation to bring Ireland in line with EU requirements under the Asylum and Migration Pact.

Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission, said there were particular concerns over the proposals regarding detention of asylum seekers, access to legal representation and counselling, and the treatment of children vulnerable persons give rise to particular concerns.

Liam spoke to us this morning on The Agenda this morning about this. 

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